'To let it die would be irresponsible'; Henry County Planning Commission sends solar ordinance back to county commissioners with questions

The planning commission sent a proposed solar ordinance to the Henry County Commissioners in November. The county commissioners rejected the ordinance in December and sent it back to the planners.

In January, Commissioners Ed Tarantino and Steve Dellinger told the planning commission “additional input was needed for modifications.”

The planning commission asked in a formal letter “what ‘additional input’ was needed and what modifications would possibly be considered,” telling the county commissioners “we would need specifics as to what is objectionable to the ordinance as written in order to meaningfully discuss how to proceed.”

Henry County Commissioner Ed Tarantino sent an email reply to Zoning Administrator Darrin Jacobs on Feb. 11.

“The commissioners are independently evaluating the ordinance based upon input we have received from various members of the public. I believe that several of the suggested changes have merit, and should be given serious consideration,” Tarantino said. “The commissioners are making every effort to insure that the ordinance we send back to the planning board will be one that thoroughly addresses the safety and well- being of the citizens of Henry County and allows for reasonable solar development in the county.”

In his email, Tarantino said the current Henry County Comprehensive Plan discourages “the use of prime farm land for solar projects, and encourages the use of brown lands and other less productive areas.”

“Since most current projects being proposed around the state are in direct opposition to this, it must also be given consideration. We appreciate your patience on this matter and also appreciate the work that has already been done,” Tarantino said.

Confused by response

Planning Commission member Olene Veach called Tarantino’s email “vague” and asked for more information.

“One of the problems at the last meeting is they were asking about certain issues ... We wanted them to be more specific,” Veach said. “This, again, is very vague, I think.”

Gratner pointed to Tarantino’s mention of several “suggested changes” that the commissioner said “have merit.”

“Can we take a look at those suggestions or changes?” Gratner asked.

Jacobs said he hasn’t seen those suggestions.

“I guess you’d have to speak to the commissioners,” he said.

Planning Commissioner Bobbi Plummer is also one of the Henry County Commissioners. Plummer told her fellow planners that she has no other comments about the solar ordinance. She also abstained from any vote on the solar ordinance.

Plummer said the three county commissioners are “independently researching solar.”

She advised the other planners that their concern Thursday night was not about the particulars of the ordinance; instead, they only needed to worry about the procedure of sending the ordinance back as is or not.

“My personal opinion is what’s before the planning commission right now, not what the (county) commissioners want, not what I want, not what Ed wants, but before the board right now is does the PC do nothing, accept the rejection, or reject the rejection,” she said.

In order to keep the proposed Henry County Solar Ordinance alive, the planning commission voted 7-0 Thursday to “reject the rejection” and send it back to the county commissioners. Plummer abstained.